August 2010

August 31, 2010

I wasn't feeling too hot yesterday (well, technically I was feeling plenty of hot seeing as it was just about 90° and humid...) so I spent the day doing home school research on-line. There is so much cool stuff out there for home schooling that it can get very overwhelming very fast. Even after a year, I still don't know where to begin with narrowing things down for us to try out. (So.much.cool stuff.) And, the only real way to see if something will work for you and whether or not you'll like it is to try it for yourself. (I'm starting this little guy in kindergarten to see how he does. He turns 5 in September which is after the cutoff for school in our area and if he were going to public school, I wouldn't be sending him yet. So if it doesn't work out, no big deal, we'll try again next year! A perk of home schooling.)

School is starting soon and I still need to order a couple of subjects. I've narrowed them down, mostly, to what I want to try this year. Math was a big one for me -- I really wanted something that will be a great program but also something my kids will enjoy and maybe, dare I say, even love. (I never liked math very much.)

I've heard rave reviews from many of my fellow home schooling moms about Math U See over the past year, so that's what I've decided to go with. Nikayda's eyes lit up when I showed it to her on-line and she said she used the same manipulative blocks when she went to public school. And she said she loved how they helped her to count without using her fingers. And since she liked the idea, so also did Abram who mirrors every reaction of hers towards school.

Teaching your kids yourself, is a great opportunity to make their education fun and exciting. In many ways, I feel like Nikayda did too many workbooks/worksheets last year and I, too often, failed to make it 'fun'. Too many worksheets a day especially in math and language arts -- which, not that there is anything wrong with that if your child loves to do as many as we did, but she didn't always enjoy it. I know it was probably too much work for a second grader but I was so worried about her not learning what she needed to that I made sure she did more than she had to just to be sure we covered all of our bases. I'm hoping this year will be much more relaxed and fun for all of us!

I'm really, really looking forward to this second year of home schooling, not just because we get to spend so much quality family time together (and plenty of time driving each other crazy) but because I feel that you probably learn a little more how to make it fun each year you're teaching your kids. And, also because I loved it so much last year. I highly recommend it if you're considering it. It can feel so daunting at first, but it's really not as daunting as you think it will be.

I want it to be a fun and rewarding experience for our kids and I know it can be. That they will love to learn is the most important thing to me as their mom. To instill a love of learning in a child, is to open the doorway to a lifetime of education. And, when I say 'lifetime of education' I don't necessarily mean college. I don't expect to go at this and be a pro. Heaven knows, I'm not. Most of the time, I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. (Thank goodness for all of the school materials out there at our disposal!) But I hope that if I give it my best, then in time everything else will fall into place.

August 27, 2010

{eta: I finally figured everything out and put the new needle in. It all works!} :)

I hadn't been garage saling in a couple of weeks and I was feeling reluctant about going today. Dave* gets really noisy sometimes when I go garage saling too much because I don't just buy kid's clothes. In fact, I never seek out kid's sales. Ever. (But I do buy all of my kid's clothes from garage sales and the thrift store.)

I generally look for sales that make my heart pick up the pace just a little. The ones that say 'antiques' or 'vintage' or '30 years of stuff', that sort of thing, and make a beeline to 'em.

I always buy things that I absolutely cannot live without for my house. Things I fall in love with and didn't even know I needed until that very moment it came into my sight and into my hands. And, Dave doesn't always appreciate that. But, today... Today was a little different...

I found something I'd been looking for all summer. Something I've been watching Ebay and garage sales for. Something I'd planned to get the kids for Christmas but it looks like Christmas came early!

A record player.

An old time, good ol'-fashioned record player. With headphones and two large brown speakers (both of which I'm thinking of lining with pretty vintage wallpaper or paint on the sides -- and I love that the fronts are brown as I'm a bit partial to brown over black -- although if I can figure it out, I might cover them in fabric.) And, now I'm looking for a midcentury record player cabinet... But that list goes on and on.

True story. If Mark and I were to get married again right now, the guys would wear dark brown suits (think chocolate brown) and not the fancy-pants black tuxes they did wear. And, he'd be much happier about that, too! In fact, whenever I mention it to him, he gets a gleam in his eye and says, "See! You should have listened to me." (He wanted suits.)

Anyway, back to the record player, it's also a radio, plays 8-track tapes and has a big adapter thing that fits in the 8-track player for playing cassette tapes in (below). (That's another old radio I grabbed from the same sale sitting on the chair (above). It works too.) We're covered now!

The player came with a bunch of cassettes and 8-track tapes with old time country music (the only kind of country music I really care for -- with all respect to all the 'new' country music singers reading my blog. Or is that supposed to be 'artists'? I get confused).

I remember my dad and mom listening to 8-track tapes when I was a kid. In the car. When I wasn't wearing a seat belt. In the front seat. I was all snuggled right in the middle of them in their matching black snowmobile jackets with the bright orange color down both sides. And, the vehicle was probably the old long brown Bonneville that floated like a boat down the expressway. I'd guess there was probably a kid or two or maybe three jumping around in the backseat as well.

Can you believe my sister, one of the twins, who just graduated high school has no idea what an 8-track tape is?! haha. And I remember wearing my dad's huge super-comfy headphones. I can still remember the feel of them all cushy and soft vinyl, just like these (below) only his weren't white. I think they were red and black, and I remember recording myself with this heavy silver microphone, on tapes pretending to give the evening news or singing away to a favorite song on a system very similar to this one. I think I even still have one of those tapes. (Wonder if dad still has all of his stuff?) Boy, was that fun. Makes me think, now I need a 'mike' for the kids! Or maybe not.

I love the sound of records. There is something so nostalgic about that crackly sound. We spent hours as kids listening to ours and following along in the books that came with them. I really hope this works. The radio was playing at the sale and it sounded really good. The elderly gentleman I bought it from said the record player works too and he had even taped another needle in a case inside. Crossing my fingers! because I found a bunch of kid's records with books earlier this summer.

The kids might still be getting their own record player for Christmas. I might be a little nervous of them accidentally ruining this one... I've been keeping my eye out for a child's player. They're going for upwards of about $35.00 on Ebay and a lot more for a regular turntable -- but if you watch like a hawk you can get one for less, including the cost of shipping. (I got all of this for $15.00 plus another $5.00 for the box of vinyl (that's records to you young punks.))

Now to test it out...!

*Dave, he kind of butts in and gets in the way of my fun sometimes. He's a pretty good guy, regardless. I don't think he minds the record player but I've just not been listening to him as much as I should, this summer, and it's time to straighten up!

P.S. Excuse the lighting and picture quality. I don't have good lighting in the house at this hour of the day.

August 25, 2010

Luna and Bella followed their mommy into the camper this evening. And, they thoroughly checked the place out! (Below, the dinette has been removed for the time being.)

It is so much fun having little goats romping about with the chickens! I love it. I just wish these babies were more tame -- they run if you get near them.

Willow just wants to play with them but the mama won't let her near them (she headbutts her anytime she comes close, which is exactly what happened right after I took this picture, below) and the babies only run away when she goes by them.

Gwyn noticed Willow over by Luna and Bella. -- Here she comes!

And...there's the headbutt...!

Poor Chloe (below). Doesn't she look just miserable? You can see it in her eyes. She got struck by an ocean of porcupine quills sometime during the night. It took me less than an hour, after doing some brief internet research, to pull them all out. Mark came home early today and called me the pioneer woman when he saw me doing it. I guess it does help to squelch the city slicker in me. Bit by bit. But, have no fear, I wore gloves and used pliers to pull them out.

Honestly, when I first looked at her, I didn't think I'd have the stomach for it. My knees went weak.

And, even while doing it, I was flabbergasted at how deep some of them were. Two and three inches inside! If your dog ever gets them, and you're unfamiliar with the procedure, snip the end of each quill before trying to pull it straight out. It helps to release the air in them, thus loosening some of the pressure that holds them in place. And, try not to move the quills too much as that only works them deeper into the body. They actually come out very easily once you snip the ends. Only a couple were difficult to pull out.

She had them on her feet, legs, and all over on her underbelly, mostly near the back half of her body. I have no idea what she was doing, that they got in those areas! She had none on her face.

She was amazing while I pulled them out though. She didn't make a sound and lay there very nicely. I had leashed her up and tied a soft strip of t-shirt cotton around her snout area, as was recommended by some sites (so they don't try to bite you -- which she never did). She was doing great, I think she sensed I was helping somehow, but she visibly calmed down once Mark got home. (She adores him because he gives her a lot of attention.)

She's been resting all afternoon and I imagine she'll be sore for a few days!

August 23, 2010

We picked up our camper this past week and started monkeying around this weekend. She's a 1979 Argosy by Airstream that I've dubbed 'Alba'. I'm sooo super excited about having a camping trailer. I used to love camping but we haven't gone since Nikayda was about 8 months old. She's now 8 1/2 years old, so it's been awhile.

Mostly we haven't gone because being the city slicker I am, I've had zero interest in camping with kids in a tent. Zip, zilch, zero. I don't like 'roughing it' so much as just getting away.

We bought her from some friends from church. I happened to mention at the Sunday school picnic a while back that we're hoping to find a vintage trailer to gut out and remodel and lo and behold one of my friends had one they were looking to sell! Talk about luck.

Saturday, Mark pulled out the orange shag carpet and started ripping out the original 1970's panels inset in the storage doors (below -- what it looked like after the carpet and cupboard that was here were taken out). We're planning on putting twin beds on either side of the trailer here in the back or possibly convertible type bunk beds.

(Below -- today, with the panels torn out of the upper cupboards.)

He'll probably make new cupboards. For now, we might just paint them and fill in the centers with vintage wallpaper or lightweight beadboard. He also pulled out the cushions and disassembled a lot of other things in preparation for the renovation (below). I plan to make curtains and new cushions for the dinette. Now to figure out how to make them! I haven't sewn very much but I'm ready to learn as I go. We have the table (not pictured) and plan to paint it, as well. It has the same 'wood' look as everything else you see.

(Below -- today, with everything pulled out.)

We're planning on doing a total overhaul: Paint (I plan to paint everything -- the cupboards, walls, seats etc.), wallpaper, and refurbishing everything. It didn't come with a fridge or the bathroom so we'll be adding those, too. (The main reason I wanted a camper was to have our own toilet and tub while we're camping. The second reason was to stay dry when it rains!) The fridge isn't a top priority right now, we can make do for a while on short trips.

We're hoping to take her for a little trip close to home sometime this fall once we get a bathroom installed. I love the walls in the bathroom (above)! As cool as they are, I'm actually wishing the colors weren't so muted but we're keeping 'em. Mark thought I'd want to paint them but I said, "No way!"

Someday we'll paint the exterior, too. Either a nice creamy white color or minty green or something down those lines. We need to get a new (meaning old) vehicle to tow it. For now, if we take quick little weekend trips close to home, Mark can tow it with his truck and I can drive the ol' bargain cruiser with the kids. (We don't all fit in his truck as it only seats three and the bargain cruiser can't tow it.)

The camper is considered a 24 footer. But technically it's only 20 feet from front to back. Apparently they count the hitch part, which seems a little odd to both Mark and me, as that isn't living space. Either way, I think it's just the right size for our first camper! It feels a little like we're playing house and I'm loving it!

P.S. The best part about Alba is she fits right in with the Thrift Challenge I'm partaking in this year. :)

We have goat kids. Two little Nigerian Dwarf girls came to live with us last night. I'm still thinking on a name for each of them.eta 08.20.10: Their names are Luna and Bella. We have their mama Gwyn, too, on loan until the twins are done nursing. They're so cute! And, so little. The mama is about the same size as Willow. (Below, All the dirt behind them is the black dirt/cow manure where our grass for our front lawn is *finally* growing! It's not a huge patch of yard but it's a start!)

So... that makes about twenty chickens, two goats, and two dogs. I never thought I'd see the day that so many creatures would be living on my property. And that I'd think it was fun! (Below: Bella, the runt of the two.)

If someone had told me five years ago that I'd have all these animals, I would have laughed. And, probably a little loudly.

Truth be told, I don't do much for their upkeep. They're really Mark's hobby but I do enjoy watching them and I enjoy the eggs our chickens lay. And, I enjoy being around them. I think things out here in the northern woods would be quite boring if we didn't have all these little creatures roaming about. (Below: Luna, the larger of the two.)

(Above: Bella) They're temporarily being housed in the dog kennel. We had them in fence around the 'little' chicken coop but they escaped late last night. We kind of figured they would but we didn't think they'd get out as fast as they did! I had to get Mark out of bed so we could go out and wrangle them up, after I heard Chloe* barking like crazy and the goats bleating in the backyard and not in the side yard where they were supposed to be. At least they can't get out of the kennel. Unless they sneak past one of the kids when the gate is open. (Not that I was out chasing a very stubborn mama goat this afternoon or anything!) Mark put up an electric fence around an acre plot out back this summer. They'll be moved back there once the twins are tamed. They're pretty wild as they're not accustomed to humans yet. The mama is really tame but the kids bolt away when you try to pet them so we're trying to spend lots of time with them right now. (Below, Does this look comfortable to you?!)

(*Poor Chloe! When she was barking because the goats had escaped, Mark and I were telling her 'no' and to be quiet. She had barked so much the night before (over an hour in the middle of the night), keeping us awake, that we decided to teach her not to bark at night. So much for that! -- here she was just trying to let us know the goats were out. (She was raised with goats and chickens and has a natural instinct to guard them.))

(Above: Luna) I love the warm earthy smell of the goats as they're soaking up the sun. It reminds me of the earthy smell of a horse.

It's official. I'm slowly losing all traces of city-slickeredness.One animal at a time.

August 18, 2010

I'm *loving* this week. The weather is absolutely beautiful and fall is in the air! I look forward to it all year long. After about three weeks of high 80's°, low 90's° and high humidity this weather is priceless. I can't believe how high the heat index has been in other parts of the country this summer according to some of my book friends. Man!

Today is rainy with thunderstorms and I even love that. Rainy fall days are some of my favorites.

I'm trying to think of some party games for Nikayda's half-birthday party this Friday. There is a 60% chance of thunderstorms so I imagine we won't be swimming. Unless the rain comes in the morning and clears up by the afternoon. (Fingers are still crossed!) There is church camping here this weekend and I forgot about it since we weren't planning on going.

I shouldn't even be on here because I need to clean this house and figure out her 'cake'. She's requested cupcakes and insists upon chocolate. If you've followed along for any number of months you may know that I don't care for cake very much. So I need to try to find a recipe that we'll enjoy!

The kids have been wanting a bonfire all summer but we've been putting them off for weeks due to the bugs, and lately because of the wind. We'll have to plan plenty of them this fall if the weather is nice enough in the evenings.

I just got interrupted by a hug and an 'I love you so much' from Abram. The best kind of interruption.

In other life altering news, I've *finally* begun working on cleaning up and organizing my loft. Have no fear, I haven't gotten very far! But it's a start. I'm going to slowly plow my way through it and hopefully sometime this fall it will be up and running. (For crafts and projects and games and books -- a sort of little art center/quiet zone for the kids and me.) It's been the drop zone around here this past year or two so there is much to contend with up there.

August 13, 2010

I started reading a new book this week. The Dive From Clausen's Pier
by Ann Packer. I've heard/seen others mention it and it's been on my list.

I'm waiting for The Poisonwood Bible. I put my name on the list for that one -- I've heard a lot of people mention/recommend it and can't wait to read it. My cousin is planning on doing a book club discussion on it in the beginning of September if anyone else is interested!

A few of my sister Sara's kids spent the night last night for the first time. They, along with ours, sure had fun! They were up until about ten to eleven. I actually thought it would be later than that. My kids have been up until 10 many nights this summer so I think that wasn't too bad for a slumber party.

We're having Nikayda's half birthday party next Friday. There is still rain in the forecast most of the week so we've our fingers crossed for a nice and sunny day so the girls can swim!

I've been thinking today is Saturday all day. I can't get it through my head.

Mark is pounding on the house right now. I hope that's a good sign.

It's funny, things never move fast enough around here for me but when I look back over the years we've been in the house, I realize a lot has gotten done each year. I try to hang on to that when I'm feeling particularly impatient for it to be finished. I just really wish we had floors though instead of plywood floors.

I'm reminded that we have to finish painting them sometime this summer/early fall. (...so we can air them out with the windows open as they dry. It's so potent in here when they're freshly painted -- I wish we didn't have to be here at all!) I know having freshly painted plywood will feel so much better than what we have right now! At least I can keep it a little more clean.

I'm about halfway there with refilling the junk shop. I'm hoping to tackle a bunch more stuff next week to throw in there. I'm itching to stumble upon some vintage baby clothes to list while out garage sailing. I love vintage baby clothes and would like to have that as part of my focus in the shop. I have a couple of bags of retro baby clothes right now but I need to dig them out -- from somewhere around here. I know I want to keep some of what I already have to use for my own babies someday but I have a lot and would like to list a few things.

The kids need baths -- time to track them down from outside! Have a great weekend!

August 11, 2010

There is a Holistic Moms group that meets in our area every month. They just started a few months back -- one of the moms in our home school group started a group here -- and I've yet to attend a meeting but I'm looking forward to next month's!

This month's meeting was last night and they discussed vaccinations - the pros and cons and general information about them, and I've heard it was a very informative meeting. I was sent this article about vaccinations after the meeting and wanted to share it for anyone else interested. It's a long article but full of fact based information.

We don't vaccinate our kids. They've all had a couple of the first shots
because I had only just started to learn about natural living and had just begun to do research about vaccinations at the time
when they were infants.

The vaccination subject can be a very heated one, which is why I rarely mention it here and why I prefer not to open it up for discussion (which generally means it turns into a debate). Just as in real life I don't put myself out there for debate, I choose not to here as well. I openly talk about it with people I know feel the same way but I don't with anyone I don't know about or am unsure about. It's a personal choice that each person has to make on their own -- to choose what they as a parent feel is the best thing for their own child. That's what we're all doing as parents, we're making what we feel are the best choices for our own children, regardless of what side of the fence we're on.

Whether you vaccinate, partially vaccinate, vaccinate on a delayed schedule, or choose not to, I think you'll find this article very helpful. I wanted to draw particular attention to the 'How To Opt Out' section. Please read it even if you don't make it through the entire article. It's extremely informative on the law (or lack thereof) of 'required' vaccines for school children.

I wanted to share this great article simply because I know every parent wants to make an informed choice. I also know others might appreciate this information as well!

The issue of vaccinations for myself can definitely be a sensitive one, as it can be with so many people on all sides. So with that thought in mind that I understand the immense sensitivity of this issue, it is also a matter close to my heart and I wanted to share this with anyone who may be interested. I also think, no matter which side you find yourself on, it never hurts to read a fact-based article like this that is full of helpful information to better guide you to make a well-informed decision when it comes to such an important issue with your child!